1 Kings 20:17

17 The servants of the district officials were at the head of the march. Ben-hadad sent for information and was told, "Some men have marched out of Samaria."

1 Kings 20:17 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 20:17

And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out
first
From Samaria, before the 7000 did:

and Benhadad sent out;
of his pavilion, a messenger or messengers to his sentinels, to know what news, and how matters stood, whether Ahab had sent any message, signifying his compliance with his terms:

and they told him, saying, there are men come out of Samaria;
but upon what account they could not say.

1 Kings 20:17 In-Context

15 So Ahab assembled the servants of the district officials. There were two hundred thirty-two of them. Next he assembled the entire Israelite army, seven thousand total.

16 At noon they marched for battle. Meanwhile, Ben-hadad and the thirty-two kings allied with him were getting drunk in their tents.

17 The servants of the district officials were at the head of the march. Ben-hadad sent for information and was told, "Some men have marched out of Samaria."

18 He said, "If they have come out in peace, take them alive; if they have come out for war, take them alive as well."

19 So the servants of the district governors with the army behind them marched out from the city.